Flush-tank.



No. 872,935. PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

A. H. HARMAN.

FLUSH TANK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9. 10 7.

in. I Ill UNITED STATS -TENT OFFICE.

AZY HOLLIE HARMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HAINES, JONES &

SYLVANIA.

FLUSH-TANK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed March 9.1907. Serial No. 361.446.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Am HOLLIE HARMAN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flush- Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to flush tanks, and more particularly to that class of tank which is designed to remain normally empty, so as to prevent freezing.

The object of my invention is to provide a flush tank of the character described which will be filled with water only when the closet is being used, and to arrange the controlling valves for such tank in the most efficient durable, and extremely simple manner.

With these ends in view, the invention consists in the construction and combination of elements hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical, central section through the tank and controlling apparatus; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 22 of Fig. 1, showing a detail. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve member, such view being taken on a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 -4, of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the tank or reservoir is designated by the letter X. This is the usual tank, with either open or closed top, and maybe constructed of sheet metal, or other suitable material.

A designates a fitting to which the inlet pipe is attached. This fitting A is provided with a flange O on the inside of the tank and is secured on the outside by means of a screwed collar P, but any other suitable form of joint may be employed.

Surrounding the flange O, and rising vertically from the bottom of the tankis an open top casing or cylinder B, within which is disposed a bell or cylinder C, of smaller diameter, and having-a closed top C, projecting outwardly therefrom, and forming an annular radially disposed flange, of larger diameter than the casing B. The function of this flange is to act as a guard or shield to prevent the water from spurting upward, and overflowing the sides of the tank. This cylinder or bell O is pivoted, as by a wire stud T, and

cotter, I, to the long arm of a substantially horizontal lever D, supported pivotally as by cotter V, in a bracket E. This lever may conveniently consist, as shown, of a pair of members, bent apart at their ends so as to form suitable bifurcations. The bell C is provided around its lower edge with outstanding lugs U, stuck up from the metal of the bell, and arranged to contact, at their outer ends, with the wall of the casing B. These lugs serve as guiding means, whereby the bell is kept centered in the casing. Suspended from the other end of the lever D, by means of a wire bail K, is a hollow cylindrical member F, having an open top. This member F, is formed at its lower end with a reduced portion M, and the portion M is connected with the upper part of the member F by means of a tapering or sloping portion L.

The member F will be hereinafter referred to as a valve, the part L being adapted to seat against a bushing N, forming a valve seat, as at G. The bushing N is secured to the outside of the bottom of the tank, and carries a depending flange, interiorly screwthreaded as at Q, for the reception of the flushing pipe, (not shown).

WVater is adapted to be supplied to the inlet A by means of a self-closing valve, automatically operated by the seat of the closet, as is well known. Immediately over the inlet A is disposed a dome-shaped baffle plate R, provided around its edge with a series of openings or slots S, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The object of this baffle plate is to prevent the water from spurting upward and driving the air out of the bell C. i

The operation is as follows: In the normal position of the parts the outlet valve F is raised, and therefore the passage at G is open, and the lower edge of the bell C rests on the baffle plate. When water is admitted at A by means of the seat operated'valve (not shown), the chamber B is rapidly filled, the water rising in the bell O and confining air in the .1 pper end thereof, as at II. This air, as the water continues to rise, exerts a buoyant effect on the bell C, and before the water has reached. the top of chamber B, the bell C has been lifted to the position shown, and has forced the member F, downward, closing the flushing valve at G. The water, overflowing chamber B fills the tank, up to the level of the top of member F. Further rise is checked here, because the excess water runs over into this member F, and escapes through theflushing pipe, in a gentle stream. When the seat operated. valve is reversed, the water supply is cut off, and the bottom of the inlet pipe opened to a drain port. The water then all drains out of the inlet pipe and chamber B, allowing the bell C to fall, and by its weight, lift the valve member F, thus discharging the contents of the tank into the flushing pipe, withthe desired eiiect. The fact that the valve seat G is located below the bottom of the tank, results in all of the water being discharged, and the tank then remains empty until the next operation. The air contained in the bell G acts as a cushion or buffer to relieve the shock incident to the inrush of water into the casing B. This is a decided advantage over the old styles in which the water impinges directly against a float, as it serves to seat the valve F gently, without jar. Furthermore, should the bell. C become leaky, such may be readily located by removing the bell, turning upside down, and filling with water.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a very efficient non-freezing tank, the advantages of which will be readily appreciated by those skilled. in the art.

What I claim is: i

1. In a flushing tank, a reservoir, an inlet for supplying water thereto, an open top, upstanding casing surrounding said inlet, a smaller casing movable within said first casing, and having an open lower end, and a baffle plate disposed between said end and inlet.

2. In a flushing tank, a reservoir, a flushing valve, an inlet port, a casing surrounding said port, a floating bell suspended and extending within said casing, and a connection between said bell and flushing valve.

3. In a flushing tank, a reservoir, a flushing valve, an inlet, a casing surrounding said inlet, and open at its top, a floating bell adapted to slide within said casing, and a pivoted lever, connected at one end to said floating bell, and at the other end to said flushing valve.

4. In a flushing tank, a reservoir, a flushing valve therein, an inlet, a casing surrounding said inlet and open at its top, a second casing, arranged to slide in said first casing and having a closed top but an open bottom arranged above said inlet and connected with said flushing valve, and means for preventing water from Spurting into said second chamber.

5. In a flushing tank, a reservoir, a flushing valve therein, an inlet, a casing surrounding said inlet and open at its top, a second. casing, closed at its to adapted to slide in said first chamber, an connected with said flushing valve, said second casing having an open mouth adjacent said inlet, and a baffle plate disposed between said mouth and inlet.

6. I11 a flushing tank, a reservoir, a flushing valve therein, an inlet, a vertical casing surrounding said inlet, a floating bell arranged within said casing and connected with said flushing valve, and a perforated baflle plate between said inlet and the mouth of said bell.

7. In a flushing tank, a reservoir, a'flushing valve having its seat below the bottom of said reservoir, an inlet, a casing surrounding the same, a floating bell within said casing and arranged to operate said. flushing valve, and a dome-shaped baffle plate, having ports around its edge, disposed directly over said inlet, within the casing.

8. In a flushing tank, a reservoir, a flushing valve therein, an inlet, a vertical. casing surrounding said inlet, a bell arranged within said casing, and connected with said flushing valve, said bell being of smaller cross-section than said casing, whereby ready passage of water between said bell and casing is permitted.

9. In a flushing tank, an inlet port, a casing surrounding said port, and a bell within said casing having an extended top, overhanging the edge of said casing.

10. In a flushing tank, a flushing valve, a float in said tank connected with said valve a casing surrounding said float, and an air cushion interposed between said float, and the water which actuates it.

11. In a flushing tank, a flushing valve, a floating bell adapted to operate said valve, and a casing surrounding said bell, said bell being provided with guiding means engaging the walls of said casing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AZY HOLLIE HARMAN.

Witnesses:

JAMES A. Braces, JAMES HENDERSON. 

